GT_NFR

Nalley Honda replaced my top under warranty since I got a hole. I wanted the test of my car looking as good as the top so I took out my PC and went to town!

Exterior:
303 Aerospace (black trim & top)
Edge 2000 White Pad
Edge 2000 green pad (which was surprising too abrasive so I switched to the white finishing pad)
System one x3 cutting polish
porter cable 7336sp
Dawn Dish detergent

Interior: (forgot to get pics )
Turtle wax leather cleaner conditioner
303 Aerospace for trim

wanabe

hey thats a nice new '05!!

green is too aggressive for a swirl removal... did you do more than one step of polish?
seems to me that white is a bit unaggressive too-
but from your pics i can see that it worked for you, and thats all that matters!

GT_NFR

Yeah Green was too abrasive and white was a little too soft....but my dog chewed the crap out of my blue pad so thats probably what I should have used...as for steps..the system one "cutting polish" is suppose to be a pad dependent polish that acts as a swirl remover when used with light polish pads and a more aggressive polish when used with a heavy cutting pad.

Thanks for the comment wanabe.

GT_NFR

It rained on and off for the last two days in atlanta and 303 from my top has dripped all over the paint. Is this bad for the paint? Is 303 aerospace clear coat safe?

Also, since the 303 washed off it made my top look really blotchy since apparently the 303 was thicker on some parts of the top. I Don't know what i could have done to prevent this since I used a sponge applicator, wiped pff excess with shop towel, and allowed it to dry over night and 8+ hours in the sun. Anyone have advice for applying 303 or should I just leave 303 for interior and start using raggtop? Does raggtop runoff as bad?

ps. I also just realized the Mods changed my second line to "can you say really red"

skier219

You might have put on too much 303. I was told (by the 303 folks) that it needs to be put on sparingly, then dried with a clean towel and buffed. They said if there is any runoff, it is extra liquid polymer that was not buffed and has not bonded to the vinyl. To be honest, with a grained vinyl top, I am not sure we can get it all out. How could you even get down into the grain with a towel?

I like the 303, but bought some RaggTopp to try out after my next wash.

I don't think the 303 would be a problem on the paint at all.

GT_NFR

thanks skier,
I just wiped it off with some QD....hope thats enough. How do you "buff" the vinyl top? Its so porous that it sucks up all the 303 immediately.

skier219

Good question, I got the impression that it was just a matter of getting the 303 down to a thin film that can dry and bond to the vinyl. Here's what they told me:

"Better mention this. What happens if you don't completely dry the surface
when applying 303 A. Protectant? The excess, unbonded 303 solution sets on
the surface. After the water evaporates out this excess is the liquid 303
polymer. As a liquid it retains dampness which will ATTRACT dust/pollen/etc
instead of repelling it as is promised on the label. If wiped completely dry
when applied, however, this removes the excess and causes the bonded 303
polymer to change form and become repellent...exactly what is desired.
Excess buffing of the treated surface with a dry cloth actually INCREASES
bonding, INCREASES repellency AND longevity."

GT_NFR

So I have to buff the top with a towel? I'll try that next time but I'm very cautious about putting excess pressure on my top.